The road was rough but easily passable for our low clearance vehicle for all but the last half mile or so. Most cars could presumably get by the last potholes, but we had to pull off and walk the last bit. The lot was nearly empty at 06:30 and we did not see any other hikers until the summit. 

The trail is in excellent condition and is free of any major obstacles. There is still some snow clinging on the mountain toward the top, but the scrambling route passes around. 

The walk up was quiet and peaceful. We shared the summit with about a half dozen other hikers. There were throngs of people hiking up in the later morning hours and the lot had overflowed down the access road when we got back down, so plan accordingly. 

Total distance was 8.5 miles with 4400 feet of vert. Total time was about 5.5 hours. 

Absolutely gorgeous day today. On a clear day Rainier, Baker and the entirety of the Cascades are viewable from Vesper.

ROAD: Easy drive in, on 08AUG25, however, about 0.2 miles from the Trailhead there is a monster pot hole. Cars without significant ground clearance should plan to park just down from the trailhead.

TRAIL: Not difficult to navigate if you get off track because you’re either going uphill enroute to the peak or downhill to the trailhead. Highly recommend downloading maps in the event you get off track. Cairns on the approach to Vesper Peak can be difficult to see but make the descent much easier!

BERRIES: Everywhere!

DIFFICULTY: Definitely a hard hike but if you hike regularly this isn’t a hike to lose sleep over. Once you make it over the pass it’s relatively smooth sailing to Vesper Peak.

• Road ( ~ 2.5 mi on 4065) is fine except for just one spot where road is rough with that required going really slow on forester to avoid hitting underside but it's very close to TH
• Bugs were almost non existent 715 am start on a day with temp in early 60's. Would recommend starting an hour earlier to avoid sun at exposed parts.
• Last 600ft plus is walking on rock wall where you basically find your best way up. Fully exposed to sun. 
• Water stream right after Hadlee Pass much needed to cool off both ways
• Gaia says 6.8 mi RT with 5:45 mins total and 4:43 walking time
• First time here after having this hike on my list forever. Something or other kept coming in the way.
• Started on a 3-4 hr sleep, something not ideal for a hike that I felt strenous. Note to self to come back here on a good night sleep ( whatever that means !)
• Peaks Galore - the views are one of the best. I think it even beat the views from Sahale arm from a few weeks earlier. you are definitely rewarded for the efforts
• Saw some rope climbers on the steep wall towards Cooper Lake (?)
• Met some folks ( more like mountain goats) from OR who were planning to add Wolf and Sperry Peaks after Vesper - pretty impressive ! 

Hiked to Vesper peak today, but no views. Lots of fog that never lifted. Trail was in good shape all the way past the lake and it was easy to hike on the slab above even with the fog. Lots of flowers. It took us about 6 hours for a round trip. There are some cairns on the way up to the peak. Fun, even in the fog